Playground module

ABSTRACT

A structural module which lends itself to the construction of playground edifices for climbing and crawling. The module is in the form of a tetrahedron whose four corners are truncated to define four triangular minor faces that are disposed in parallel relation to four major hexagonal faces, the module having a spherical central cavity. The radius of the sphere is greater than the distance between the geometrical center of the module and any major face thereof, circular ports in the major faces of the module being formed by the intersection of the spherical cavity and the major faces. A group of such modules may be interfitted in various ways, side by side as well as one above the other, to create an edifice in which one major face of each module abuts a major face of an adjacent module and in which the ports of the abutting faces are in registration, thereby interconnecting the cavities of the modules to produce a labyrinth.

United States Patent Noguchi [451 May 30,1972

1 1 PLAYGROUND MODULE Isamu Noguchi, 33-38 Tenth Street, Long Island City. NY. 11106 [22] Filed: Mar. 5, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 804,531

[ 72] Inventor:

52 U.S.Cl ..272/60 51 lnt.Cl. ..A63b9/00 58 Field of Search ...272/60; 52/79, 81, 237; 35/72 Architectural Record 12-1966 p. 137

Mathematical Models, Cundy and Rollett, 1957 ppg. 95,94 The Washington Post American Weekly Magazine 9/6/59 pp Whitney Museum of American Art- Sculpture Continuum: by Oliver 0 Connor Barrett May 24 June 24, 1962 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro A!t0rney-Michael Ebert [5 7] ABSTRACT A structural module which lends itself to the construction of playground edifices for climbing and crawling. The module is in the form of a tetrahedron whose four corners are truncated to define four triangular minor faces that are disposed in parallel relation to four major hexagonal faces, the module having a spherical central cavity. The radius of the sphere is greater than the distance between the geometrical center of the module and any major face thereof, circular ports in the major faces of the module being formed by the intersection of the spherical cavity and the major faces. A group of such modules may be interfitted in various ways, side by side as well as one above the other, to create an edifice in which one major face of each module abuts a major face of an adjacent module and in which the ports of the abutting faces are in registration, thereby interconnecting the cavities of the modules to produce a labyrinth.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMY 30 m2 :3. 666.266

SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR. ASA/70 Noel/u PLAYGROUND MODULE This invention relates generally to structural modules, and more particularly to a module which lends itself to the construction of playground edifices incorporating a labyrinth.

Well equipped playgrounds usually include some form of climbing apparatus. A child has a natural desire to climb and to move upwardly by his own effort, not only to experience the sensation of height, but also to increase his horizon and satisfy his curiosity. Children also enjoy exploring hidden places so that tunnels and mazes have always been popular in playgrounds.

Conventional playground equipment leaves much to be desired, for such equipment, even though costly, is often unsightly and hazardous. Moreover, each piece of standard equipment is capable of serving only a single function. Thus a framework designed for climbing is not useful for any other purpose and is some respects in an eyesore.

Accordingly, it is the main object of the invention to provide a module whose geometric form is such that a group of modules may be intimately interfitted in various ways to create playground edifices possessing several functions as well as being architecturally interesting and aesthetically satisfying.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a module having a central cavity accessible through ports on all faces of the module, the ports on abutting faces of the interfitting modules being in registration with each other to create a labyrinth through which a child may crawl in various directions, the ports also defining climbing steps whereby a child may mount the edifice as well as crawl therethrough.

A significant feature of the invention is that the module makes it possible to build playground edifices having two or more tiers so that a child is able to clarnber up the edifice as well as to crawl in circuitous paths through the interior labyrinth formed by the interconnected cavities and thereby enjoy diversified experiences. Thus the childs interest in the edifice is maintained, for his activity need not be limited nor repetitious but is highly varied.

Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a module in the form of a tetrahedron whose four comers are truncated to define four minor faces lying in parallel relationship to the major faces of the module, the module having a spherical central cavity communicating with circular ports formed in the major faces thereof. A group of such modules may be interfitted in various ways side by side as well as one above the other to create an edifice in which one major face of each module abuts a major face of an adjacent module so that the ports thereof are in registration, thereby interconnecting the cavities of the modules to produce a labyrinth.

For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a module in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the module,

FIG. 3 is a plane view of one of the major sides of the module,

FIG. 4 is a section taken in the plane indication by lines 4- 4 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5, in perspective, shows two interfitted modules one above the other,

FIG. 6, in perspective shows three interfitted modules side by side,

FIG. 7 shows a two tier edifice in accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 8 shows a three tier edifice.

Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a module in accordance with the invention, the module being constituted by a truncated equilateral tetrahedron. A tetrahedron, in geometric terms, is a solid made up of four planar triangular faces, while an equilateral tetrahedron is one whose triangular faces are equilateral.

By truncating the comers of the tetrahedron, one thereby creates four planar minor faces which are triangular in form, the minor faces lying in parallel relation to the opposing major faces which because of the truncation are no longer triangular but are hexagonal in form. The truncated tetrahedron is therefore an octahedron having four major and four minor faces.

Thus as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the four major faces of the truncated tetrahedron are the hexagonal faces 10, 11, I2 and 13, while the four minor faces are the triangular faces 14, 15, 16 and 17. Minor face 14 lies in parallel relation to major face 10, minor face 15 is similarly disposed with respect to major face 11, minor face 16 is likewise disposed in regard to major face 12, as is minor face 17 in relation to major face 13. All facial edges of the module are chamfered to avoid sharp surfaces.

The module is made hollow by a spherical central cavity C so that the interior surface is free of sharp edges. Access to this cavity may be had through any major face of the module by way of a circular port therein. Thus major face 10 is provided with a port 10C, major face 11 with a port 11C, major face 12 with a port 12C and major face 13 with a port 13C.

The module may be fabricated of concrete or molded out of a suitable high strength, low cost plastic material such as polypropylene or nylon. In practice, once the ultimate configuration of the edifice is determined, the modules constituting the edifices may be permanently joined together by recessed bolts, thereby making it possible to later dismantle the structure and place it elsewhere.

When two modules are stacked one above the other in the manner shown in FIG. 5, with the minor face 15 of one module serving as the base and the minor face 16 of the other as the top, the major faces 1] of both modules then lie in abutting relationship, as a consequence of which the ports of the abutting major faces lie in registration with each other and cavity C of the lower module is connected to cavity C of the upper cavity. This arrangement is the simplest structure which can be built with the modules.

Instead of having one module mounted above the other, they may be placed in side by side relationship, in which event the major face 12 of one module and the coplanar minor face 16 of the other would lie on the ground, the port connections being the same. Because the cavities are interconnected one may climb or crawl from one to the other, depending on whether the arrangement is side by side as in FIG. 5,or one above the other. In practice, the modules may be raised above ground on spaced beams which provide access to the underlying port or ports, so that one may crawl under the edifice to enter the module cavity.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an assembly of three modules in side by side relation, the major face 10 of the middle module abutting the major face 10 of the left module and the major face 13 of the middle module abutting the major face 13 of the right module, thereby interconnecting the cavities in all three modules. On the top of this structure, the minor face 16 of the left module is coplanar with the major face 13 of the middle module and the minor face 16 of the right module.

Thus one may crawl through the cavity of the left module into the cavity of the middle module and from there one may either climb through port 1 1C onto the top of this structure or into the cavity of the right module. Because of the ports on all major faces, even with three modules there are many play possibilities.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a more elaborate structure of five modules is provided, four of which provide a lower tier (only three are visible) and the fifth of which provides an upper tier. One may crawl through the lower tier cavities or up into the upper tier cavity. In this arrangement the minor faces 16 of the lower tier cavities are exposed to provide a platform onto which the climber may step.

A still more complex structure is shown in FIG. 8, wherein three tiers of modules are provided. Here again the exposed minor faces of each tier provide stepping platforms. Thus the child may work his way up to the top of this edifice on the outside, using the ports and platforms as steps or he may crawl in various directions within the edifice and go internally from tier to tier.

I claim:

1. A playground edifice formed by a plurality of inter-fitting identical structural modules for crawling and climbing, each structural module comprising a tetrahedron whose four corners are truncated to define four major hexagonal faces which are disposed in parallel relation to four opposing triangular minor faces, the module having a central cavity communicating with circular ports in the major faces thereof, whereby when the modules are interfitted in side by side relation and one above the other to produce tiers, the major faces thereof lie in abutting and congruent relation to create an edifice, the ports in the abutting major faces lying in registration to intercouple the cavities of the modules to permit a player to crawl from the interior of one module to another, the minor faces providing exterior stepping platforms for climbing, said cavity being defined by a hollow sphere whose geometrical center coincides with the geometrical center of the module, the radius of said sphere being greater than the distance between the geometrical center of the module and any major face thereof whereby said circular ports are defined by the inter section of said sphere and said major faces.

2. A structural module as set forth in claim 1, wherein all edges of the major and minor faces are chamfered.

3. A structural module as set forth in claim 1 formed of concrete.

4. A structural module as set forth in claim 1 formed of plastic material.

5. A playground as set forth in claim 1, wherein said modules are disposed in multiple tiers. 

1. A playground edifice formed by a plurality of interfitting identical structural modules for crawling and climbing, each structural module comprising a tetrahedron whose four corners are truncated to define four major hexagonal faces which are disposed in parallel relation to four opposing triangular minor faces, the module having a central cavity communicating with circular ports in the major faces thereof, whereby when the modules are interfitted in side by side relation and one above the other to produce tiers, the major faces thereof lie in abutting and congruent relation to create an edifice, the ports in the abutting major faces lying in registration to intercouple the cavities of the modules to permit a player to crawl from the interior of one module to another, the minor faces providing exterior stepping platforms for climbing, said cavity being defined by a hollow sphere whose geometrical center coincides with the geometrical center of the module, the radius of said sphere being greater than the distance between the geometrical center of the module and any major face thereof whereby said circular ports are defined by the intersection of said sphere and said major faces.
 2. A structural module as set forth in claim 1, wherein all edges of the major and minor faces are chamfered.
 3. A structural module as set forth in claim 1 formed of concrete.
 4. A structural module as set forth in claim 1 formed of plastic material.
 5. A playground as set forth in claim 1, wherein said modules are disposed in multiple tiers. 